Despite being only 17 years old, Paul Bogle High School student Tigya Mills has already learnt money-management skills that those years her senior are yet to master.

“Normally coming to school, I would come, like, five days a week, sometimes three. What I had to do now – because mi know mi did a go in a grade 11 and mi want to make sure say mi deh deh every day so that me can learn everything – the money mi would a get fi Monday, Tuesday, mi make sure say it serve til Thursday, Friday,” said Mills, citing that financing her education was one of the more challenging difficulties she faces.

She is one of 14 students from schools across the island who were awarded scholarships valued at up to $10,000 by LASCO Financial Services Limited to assist in covering fees for the sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

The students were formally presented the scholarships at the company’s Money – Lunch and Learn seminar yesterday at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in St Andrew.

They were awarded based on need, academic performance, punctuality, and overall behaviour.

When asked, Mills said that her teachers have had a tremendous influence on her.

“Wow! I can say, ‘Wow!’,” the St Thomas student said. “Miss McFarlane, who is here, she is one of my teachers. I have a favourite teacher. Her name is Kerine Sutherland. She has been through everything with me from grade seven to 11, and the impact is very good. Very, very good,” she said.

Mills also had some words of encouragement for others facing similar difficulties.

“I am saying to everyone or anyone who is struggling financially that no matter what happens, you can make it,” Mills said.

Seventeen-year-old Calabar High School student Giovanni Lawrence, who was also an awardee, also had this advice: ‘Find what works for you. ... You may not have the money, some people may bring you down, and discourage you, but once you find what works for you, just go along with it,” Lawrence said.